These tips were originally shared during a workshop for shortlisted writers in the 2025 Commonwealth Short Story Prize.
Tip 1: Don’t just read books—read up on them
As writers, you often hear how important it is to read widely. But if you’re serious about building a career in writing, you need to go one step further: don’t just read the book, read around the book. Most readers dive straight into Chapter One, enjoy the story, and move on to the next book as soon as it’s done. But as a writer, your job is to approach books more critically and strategically.
Start by paying attention to the publishing details: who published it, what year it came out, and whether it was part of a particular imprint. These small details can tell you a lot about where your own work might belong.
Then, head to the acknowledgements section. This is a goldmine for writers. Many authors openly thank the people who helped bring their book to life—agents, editors, mentors, even supportive friends and writing groups. If a book resonates with you and feels like the kind of work you aspire to create, take note of the names mentioned.
You’re essentially discovering potential collaborators for your own journey—agents who might be a good fit, editors who work on books you love, and publishing professionals who understand your kind of storytelling.
Think of it as building your dream team. Reading this way gives you a deeper understanding of the ecosystem behind the books you admire, and it helps you approach your writing career with more clarity and direction.
Tip 2: Research the industry
Building on the first tip, it’s not enough to just understand who’s behind the books, you also need to understand the broader publishing world. That means paying attention to what’s happening in the industry from a commercial and strategic perspective.
One of the best ways to do this is by engaging with trade publications. If you’re in the UK, The Bookseller and BookBrunch are key. In the US, Publishers Weekly is the go-to source. Even if you’re not based in these regions, these platforms provide valuable insights into global trends, market shifts, and emerging conversations in publishing.
For example, if you notice repeated mentions of BookTok (the corner of TikTok dedicated to books), you might start thinking about whether having a presence there could help with your visibility. Or you might pick up on a surge in interest around genres like romantasy (the fusion of romance and fantasy). If that aligns with your own writing, you can start positioning yourself more strategically, perhaps pitching your work while interest is high or tailoring your submissions accordingly.
This kind of market awareness helps you make informed decisions about when and how to enter the publishing world. It also keeps you from operating in isolation. By tuning into the pulse of the industry, you gain a clearer sense of where your work fits and how to give it the best possible chance of success.
Subscribing to trade newsletters or checking these sites weekly can make a huge difference. It’s a small habit that builds your confidence, strengthens your strategy, and sets you apart from writers who aren’t paying attention.
Tip 3: Build your personal brand (yes, even if it feels cringe)
The phrase ‘personal brand’ can feel uncomfortable, especially in creative circles, but it’s incredibly important to think about how you present yourself as a writer. I’m not suggesting that you need to be performative or overly polished, because you don’t.
Building your personal brand is about clarity, credibility, and making it easier for people to understand what you do and why your work matters.
Here are four key areas to focus on:
3.1 Write a strong, memorable bio
Your bio is often the first impression you’ll make. It’s not enough to say you ‘love storytelling’ or are ‘passionate about reading’ — every writer says that. Instead, use your bio to show that you take your craft seriously.
Mention achievements like being shortlisted for the 2025 Commonwealth Short Story Prize. That’s a major indicator of quality. Include any publications your work has appeared in, and articulate what your writing tends to explore (e.g. ‘My work often centres on identity, migration, and memory’). You can also add a line about what you do outside of writing if it connects to your creative work (e.g. being a teacher who writes YA fiction). Keep it concise but purposeful.
3.2 Create a professional website
Even a simple, one-page website is a powerful tool. Think of it as your digital home – a place where your work lives in one central space. Include your bio, professional photo, contact info, and links to published pieces. It shows you’re taking your writing seriously and makes it easy for editors, agents, or readers to find you and your work.
3.3 Choose one platform to show up on
You don’t need to be everywhere. In fact, it’s better if you’re not. Choose one platform that feels authentic and sustainable. Substack is fantastic for writers who want to share thoughts, essays, or behind-the-scenes process and build a mailing list. Instagram can work well if you love visual storytelling or want to be part of the #bookstagram or writing communities. The goal isn’t just self-promotion, it’s also about connection and consistency. Show up where it feels right, and do so with intention.
3.4 Keep submitting to prizes and lit mags
One of the best ways to build your credibility as a writer is by submitting your work regularly to competitions, residencies, and literary magazines. Even shortlisting (as you already have!) signals to the industry that your work has merit. Over time, this kind of recognition builds trust and momentum and it often opens doors to new opportunities.
Remember: your personal brand doesn’t need to be flashy, it just needs to be thoughtful, clear, and rooted in your unique voice and values.
Tip 4: Perfect your book pitch
As a writer, you’ll often find yourself in spaces where someone asks, ‘So, what’s your book about?’ This is your chance to make someone care about your work in just a few sentences. And while it may seem daunting, it’s a skill you can absolutely develop with a little structure and practice.
First, be specific. Saying ‘I’m writing a thriller’ is too broad. Try: ‘I’m working on a psychological thriller about a grieving mother who starts receiving letters from her dead daughter’. Instantly, it’s more intriguing and more memorable.
Second, give your book a working title if you have one, and include a clear, one-line synopsis that explains the central premise. This isn’t the full plot but it should be just enough to hook someone’s interest.
Third, use comparable titles. This is a great way to position your book in someone’s mind. Think: ‘It’s like Big Little Lies meets My Sister, the Serial Killer.’ Referencing well-known titles helps your listener quickly understand tone, genre, or themes and where your book might fit in the market.
Finally, practice. Whether you’re talking to agents, editors, or other writers, having a polished pitch will help you speak about your work with clarity and confidence. It also shows you’ve taken the time to understand your project and how it might be received.
You can refer back to the presentation for pitch examples I shared, but the most important takeaway is this: don’t wait until you’re asked. Prepare your answer now and own it.
Tip 5: Sit down and write the book!
This is the most important tip of all, because none of the others matter if you don’t have a story to share.
In the presentation, I mentioned that the first step to engaging with the publishing industry is simply having a finished manuscript. Publishing is a commercial business, and while there’s space for creativity and experimentation, you still need a complete product to offer.
The only way to get there? You have to sit down and write.
Daily writing is a habit shared by countless successful authors. It doesn’t need to be perfect. It doesn’t need to be public. But it does need to happen consistently. I often refer to an interview I did with author Chika Unigwe, who shared that she aims to write 1,000 words a day. Why? Because in 60 days, she has 60,000 words which is a full first draft.
It’s a brilliant approach because it takes the guesswork out of it. You’re no longer waiting for inspiration to strike. You’re working with intention, breaking the book down into manageable chunks. Maybe for you it’s 1,000 words a day. Maybe it’s 500, or 2,000.
The number doesn’t matter as much as the discipline.
And remember: your first draft doesn’t need to be good. Its job isn’t to impress anyone. Its job is to help you understand the story—to get it all out, raw and unfiltered, so you can shape it into something stronger later. Writing is rewriting. But you can’t rewrite what doesn’t exist.
So before you worry about agents, publishers, websites, or bios—make sure you’ve carved out the time and space to write. Every day, even just a little. That’s where the real work begins.
Bonus tip: Don’t forget to have fun!
This one didn’t come up in the presentation, but it’s just as important as everything else: enjoy the process.
Writing is hard, yes—but it’s also magical. You’re pulling an entire world out of thin air and shaping it into something real. That’s no small thing. So don’t let pressure or perfectionism steal the joy of creation. Laugh at the weird ideas. Play with your characters. Let yourself wander and explore.
There will be days when it’s tough, but there should also be moments when you feel lit up by what you’re making. So try not to lose sight of that. Do your best, stay grounded in your passion, and remember why you started writing in the first place.
Nancy Adimora is an award-winning publishing consultant, working at the intersection of creativity and culture.
